Don’t those television shows make everything look like a piece of cake?  Do they inspire you to install your own hardwood floors or Venetian plaster your bathroom?  That’s good!  These shows are doing their jobs if they inspire you, but you need to know your limitations. Let’s talk about the ways some smart planning and good thinking will help you keep your next project under control.

Been there…done that!

There is a really good chance that whatever project you’re trying to accomplish on your own, someone you know has already done it in their own home.  Before you try a project you’re unsure about, ask around at work, church or wherever you have people you know and trust.  If you want to install new kitchen cabinets, and Jim and Susie Fisher said it was a complete disaster to do it alone, maybe you’ll want to re-think it.  But honestly, cabinets aren’t too bad as a DIY task with a little help.  But you see if you know someone who did it before you, then you can talk about what they would have done differently to make the project easier.  It’s a hindsight thing. If they were really good friends, perhaps they’d lend you a hand.

The web.

The Internet has everything about everything listed practically everywhere!  If you want to learn how to re-grout your shower, the Internet can help.  Look through forums where people have shared their experiences and collect tips from experts.  Sometimes I think the Internet is a more reliable source than some of my friends.  It’s unbiased.  I mean…how many of you have friends that may not want to admit they couldn’t handle a task?  I can think of a few myself.

Stuck in the middle.

Let’s say that you are a compulsive and risky Do it Yourselfer.  You wanted to replace the dining room floor on your own.  Now you’ve got a torn up floor and boxes of expensive hardwood you don’t quite understand how to cut around heating vent.  Where do you go?  Well, you can go back to the Internet and research your topic for assistance, you may have some luck.  You can also give Jim and Susie a call to see if they’re interested to help you out.  There is strength in numbers, so don’t assume the first thing you need to do is give up and call the professionals.  You can do it!

That’s why it is so important to plan and research projects before you do them.  They can be really difficult once you get started and you want to be prepared for any set backs.  Talk to your friends, you family and the people who work at the hardware store to get as much information as possible.  Don’t be afraid when the going gets rough to call out for help.  It’s much better than sitting around with your mess.  Happy Tasking!

All of us at LadiesToolsOnline.com are so proud to be part of a wonderful cause.  We’ve teamed up with Bailey’s Team: Supporting Research, Awareness and Services for Individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  We’re dedicated to helping make a difference in the lives of those who are affected by this disorder.  If you’d like to help out, we’ve made it easy!  Purchase our best seller: The Think Pink 57-piece tool set.  We’ll donate a portion of the proceeds to Bailey’s Team.  Tis the season for giving, so purchase the tool set for someone you love this holiday season and rest assured your gift is going towards a fantastic cause! 

Now that you’ve got a tool collection to call your own, you’re probably wondering how you take care of them.  Are you wondering if you need to oil your power tools?  How do you wash them?  I’m going to tell you how to take care of your tools so you can get the most out of them!

Lubricating your tools.

Tools these days don’t usually require lubrication.  Most power tools have sealed bearings or are considered self-lubricating.  Tools that do require lube are ones like air impact wrenches.  So if you happen to own one, read the manual to learn where the oil points are. 

Cleaning your tools.

Tools will get dirty; there is no way around it.  You may get dust or other debris on your tools at some point in your life, but you must resist the urge to wash them.  Tools DO NOT go in the dishwasher.  Water is the enemy of a trusty tool.  Rinsing off your tools can lead to rust.  However, there are times that water will come in contact with your tools.  Installing faucets and shower heads are two great examples of when water can be an issue.  Just remember, a little water can lead to a big mess.  If your tools get wet, dry them as soon as you can, and always before putting them away.

Storage of your tools.

They don’t call it a tool box for nothing!  This is the place your tools need to go.  With a place for everything, and everything in its place, your tools will thank you.  Many people hastily like to finish projects and toss their tools into a junk drawer, I have one and I bet you do too!  When you dump tools on top of each other, it can lead to problems.  Tools improperly stored can get scratched up, mixed up and generally messed up.  Tool boxes provide protection as well as convenience.  It’s a must have investment for your tool collection.  If you don’t have a place for your tools, consider looking at the soft tool bag from our site!  We have so many tools in our home, that it takes a six foot tall tool chest and two smaller boxes in our garage to organize all of our tools.  However, I don’t like walking out to the unattached garage in the dead of winter every time I want to hang a picture.  What’s my solution?  I have a

tool belt that I keep fully loaded in my bedroom closet.  It attaches to my waist with a plastic buckle, so I just clip it onto the bar that I hang clothes from.  It fits right in with my fashionable belts!  Having a tool belt in the house that has a multipurpose screwdriver, hammer, nails, tape measure, pliers, wrench and flashlight is worth its weight in gold!  Those are the basic staples I use whenever I tackle a project.  I highly recommend having something similar in your home. 

tool belt that I keep fully loaded in my bedroom closet.  It attaches to my waist with a plastic buckle, so I just clip it onto the bar that I hang clothes from.  It fits right in with my fashionable belts!  Having a tool belt in the house that has a multipurpose screwdriver, hammer, nails, tape measure, pliers, wrench and flashlight is worth its weight in gold!  Those are the basic staples I use whenever I tackle a project.  I highly recommend having something similar in your home. 

Treat your tools right and they’ll last for years!  Happy tasking!

When you begin to start a new home project, how often do you think it through before you start to gather your materials?  It’s so easy to want to hurry up with your projects, because let’s face it: no one likes to have their house torn apart, even if it is for the sake of making it look better!  I want to talk to you about the importance of beforehand planning of projects before you even step foot in the hardware store for supplies.

Let’s just say you want to paint your dining room.  Sounds easy enough!  Painting is a great way to add your charm to areas of the house, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an easy task.  The first thing you’d want to do is create your list.  You’ll need paint, masking tape, rollers, trays, tarps and possibly a few more odds and ends.  Draw a picture of your room on a piece of paper.  If you want to move furniture around, draw it out first; do you like the new look?  Making lists and diagrams before you start these projects mean you most likely won’t be surprised with the outcome.  A list will keep you from forgetting easy to forget items at the store when it comes time to buy.  It’s so easy to just walk in to buy your supplies, and forget the fact you will need a small brush to help where the roller can’t cover.  What about floor covering? Do your walls need some plaster or sanding? Would you have remembered your paint tarp?  (BTW, I find plastic tarps on the floor in my home to be a bit dangerous.  It’s so easy to slip.  I often check the clearance sections of my home stores for cheap sheets.  I use those and minimize my risk of slipping, but remember; paint can soak through- so layer!)

I find that making lists help me with budgeting my projects.  A big reason many of us do jobs ourselves is to save money.  I can often make a list of my supplies and then visit the website for a big box home store.  This way, I know what I’ll be spending before I get there.  It’s such a time saver!

Remember; don’t rush yourself when you’re doing projects at home.  If you hurry the job, your end result will show.  Take an hour out of your day to pre-plan and research even the simplest projects.  Talk it over with your spouse if they’ll be helping you.  Don’t go to the paint store and buy something you’re uncomfortable with because you want to get the ball rolling.  Bring samples home and sleep on it!  So many DIYers will run into bumps in the road when working on projects in their homes, but you can minimize the hassle if you just take time to think a little bit ahead of time.  Happy tasking!

I can’t tell you how many things I’ve done in my home, only to stand back and look at it and think “wow this looked A LOT better in that magazine.”  The truth is, it’s hard for a rookie DIYer to get a job perfect on the first try.  Honestly, with as much photo editing software circulating, you can’t believe everything you see in those home and garden magazines. As for those television shows that transform rooms within a few days….that’s not always perfect either.  Behind the scenes of those shows, you can tell that things were rushed at the last minute.  Decadent throw pillows were stapled and there were paint drips galore!  If you want to make it perfect, just take your time.  Doing some preliminary research on your project and doing the best you can is all you need to succeed.

Don’t expect to overhaul a room in your house in a weekend.  It’s no fun having your place a mess while you take on tasks, but good things come in due time.  Currently I’m re-doing my hallway bath, and it’s been a total mess.  There were plenty of bumps along the way.  Speaking of bumps, let’s talk about my walls.  They were in such rough shape; I decided to pour a little sand into my paint to give it texture.  You’d be surprised how great a little texture makes a sad wall look.  The spread of the sand was a little uneven, but I think it gave the walls a touch of character.  Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect!  If you like how it looks, you can consider that to be perfect!

Now, when you’re hanging pictures, or other things that require leveling, yes that does need to be “perfect.”  Otherwise you’ll have crooked items hanging from your walls.  There’s no skill to driving a nail into a wall.  Once you hang your picture, just eyeball it or use a level to make sure you’re on target.  Measurements are one of the most important things that you need to make sure are accurate when you take on projects. 

Remember, if you’re a perfectionist like I am, these projects can get really frustrating.  You should remember that your job will only look as good as the tools you use, so do your research!  No matter what, be proud of how your project turned out in the end.  You deserve to be satisfied with your work.

The worst accidents can be those that happen in the home.  There are so many things we have around our houses that can do harm.  So when it comes time for you to tackle a DIY project, safety should always be your number one concern.  This isn’t just the safety of yourself, but those around you.  You’ll be surprised just how dangerous the simplest jobs can be to the uninformed Do It Yourselfer.

Whenever you are improving your home, you need to make sure you have an up to date first aid kit near by.  It’s a good idea to have one on every floor of your home and in your garage.  Instead of wondering what you should have in a first aid kit, just go to your local drug store and buy one already made up for you.  You need to know that it is so important to have the proper medical supplies in your home if you should get hurt.  Just get a basic first aid kit.  You don’t need to have a huge one with big butterfly closures, but it never hurts to be prepared!

Eye protection is something we often don’t think about.  We don’t use eye protection enough.  I’m not talking about just when we’re using a miter saw to cut our new trim to a perfect edge.  I’m talking about even when we drag a broom across our popcorn textured ceilings to knock off the dust.  It only takes one little piece of dust or debris to wreck your day!  I know, I know….those goggles make you look less than flattering and you scare your toddler when you put them on.  Have you seen Ladiestoolsonline.com’s new pink protective eye wear?  It’s like wearing stylish fashion glasses but offers great protection! It’s definitely like seeing your perfect project completed through rose colored glasses!

Gloves are another safety precaution we often disregard.  Gloves not only keep our hands safe from scratches and splinters, they can help with chemicals.  I actually keep a box of disposable medical gloves in my kitchen.  They are extremely cheap and are very handy.  I use them each time I paint and stain wood.  I also put them on every time I clean my house or scoop the litter box.  Those chemicals that we use to scrub our toilets and disinfect our counters are very toxic.  Plus my hands never smell or feel grimy afterwards.  Latex gloves are great to protect your hands from paint and other chemicals, but what about gloves for everything else?  You can get mechanic’s gloves to help keep your hands safe when you’re working on bigger projects.  For example, use them if you’re going to nail wood together.  You’ll be less likely to get a splinter.  Use them whenever you need to get a good grip on something, like moving furniture around before painting.  You’ll find a ton of different ways these gloves will help you in your home.  Always use garden gloves when you’re working the in the yard.  Dirt easily gets under your fingernails and can be a breeding ground for germs.  Speaking of germs, remember how I keep a box of latex disposable gloves in the kitchen?  I use them every time I handle raw meat and chicken!  Try using them when you’re mincing garlic and onion, you don’t have to stink for days anymore!

It’s so important that you practice safety in the home when doing home improvement projects.  All it takes is one mistake to hurt yourself.  A true DIY Diva is prepared for everything!  Happy home improvements!

What keeps women from becoming DIY Divas?  Many ladies of the home handle everything from sack lunches to laundry; why not install a new ceiling fan this weekend?  Many of us like to let the men enjoy their tool time, but why shouldn’t we have some projects to do too?  Surely if your home is like mine ladies, there are plenty of tasks on the “Honey Do list” to go around!

Yet we all know running the home is a full-time job in itself, and many of us do have other jobs.  By the end of soccer practice and casserole creations, we find ourselves drained.  We’d rather spend our 3 day weekend in front of the television or soaking up the sun.  Time and energy will probably remain the biggest reasons why women turn down the DIY tasks.  We need to channel that negative energy and put it to some good use!  Don’t you know that working on your home will ease stress?

Sure, think about it ladies!  If you’re stressed to the max, head to the garage.  Start sanding away at the old kitchen table you’ve been meaning to refinish!  You’ll feel better and be half way done completing the table! 

Do the kids keep you from finishing all those DIY jobs you’ve been planning since they were born?  Life happens, but there’s no excuse once your kids can entertain themselves, and think of it as an extra set of hands if you need them.  DIY jobs don’t mean do it yourself….all alone.  Grab your daughter and teach her the importance of staining that kitchen table with smooth, even strokes.  You’ll enjoy the bonding time and the finished product will have a nice back story.  You’re making memories!

Another awesome way I use my DIY weekends to my advantage is dinner.  When I’ve got wood putty underneath my fingers and my hands ache from sanding, I know I can always get my favorite Chinese takeout, which takes me off the hook for cooking! 

You’ll realize that many of the jobs you’ve been putting off on because of the whole lazy factor aren’t as time consuming as you thought.  If you check the night before a project to make sure you’ve got all your materials, you can wake up the next morning without the inconvenience of running to the store. If you’re an early riser on your day off, you’ll be done by dinner.  Of course, not all projects are simple one day jobs.  But you’ll be surprised what you can do in one day.  I’ve installed a few major appliances, hung a few pieces of dry wall and did some spackle work, changed out faucets, replaced light fixtures, painted entire rooms and ripped up old carpet and replaced it with vinyl tile (by the way, vinyl sticky tile is my secret weapon to any old floor that needs a face lift for under a $1 a square).

 We don’t want to do these jobs because it just seems so much easier to not do them.  But, as with everything in life, if you want it done…you’ve got to Do It Yourself! 

Teaching your children to use tools at an early age will help by not only giving them skills for the future, but will help them in the “now.”  Aside from learning some new important skills, your child will also refine their hand-eye coordination and other motor skills, as well as boost their self-esteem.  Most grade-school aged children can understand the basic concepts of using tools.  With proper supervision, they can apply those skills effectively.

The best way to teach your kids how to use tools is to start slow on small items.  Concentrate on familiarizing them with one or two tools at a time, and slowly introduce them to basic tools.

Safety is always critical when teaching, practicing and apply the skills to projects.  The first tool you should teach your children to use is eye protection.  Be sure to always use eye protection when using any tools.  As the parent, it is up to you to set the example.  Monkey see, monkey do!  If you wear them, the kids will want to wear them too.

It takes practice to learn how to use tools properly.  When it’s “hammer time,” take some left-over wood and have your child practice driving in nails.  To hammer in a nail, hold the pointed tip against the wood.  Gently hit the nail a few times to start it and let go.  The nail should stand on its own.  Draw the hammer back a couple inches, being cognizant of where the other hand is placed, and slowly bring down the hammer to gauge where the nail is relative to your swing.  Then draw the hammer back and give it a tap.  The hardest part of hammering is hitting the nail precisely each time.  Once the nail is driven all the way into the wood, grab another nail and repeat.  Keep driving the nails in until your child appears comfortable with the hammer.  A child will have to most success with a lighter-weight hammer. 

The screw driver is one of the most used tools in your tools box.  A good exercise to teach for screw drivers is to grab a several different screws with different heads and different sizes.  Pre-drill a piece of wood with holes slightly smaller than the screws.  Let your child practice using the screw driver by driving the screws into the piece of wood. 

The tape measure is a tool of precision.  To teach your child how to use a tape measure, start off by showing them what the markings mean. Now, take a piece of wood tell them to measure and mark the board every 6 inches.  Then have your child hammer in a nail at each location.  We’ve just combined 3 skills: measuring, hammering and addition! 

Keep introducing them to new tools as you and your child feel comfortable.  Then start incorporating your kids into a tool-using routine.  Have them help you assemble a new piece of furniture or hang a picture they made at school.  They’ll be so proud of their skills, and you’ll be so glad you taught them early.

You can start introducing your kids to tools as soon as they can crawl.  Kid friendly toy manufacturers like “Fisher Price” have plastic tools meant for your little ones.  It usually comes with a cute workbench, and your tots can practice swinging a hammer before they even say their first word. 

Are there downsides to teaching your kids about tools early?  Only one…they may start to take everything apart!  But at least now, they’ll know how to put it all back together.  Enjoy teaching your children about the importance of knowing how to use tools.

Tools Build Self-Confidence

                There is nothing more gratifying then DIY projects.  In the end (if all went well) you are left with a finished project that is exactly what you wanted.  You did it yourself and you saved money.  Doesn’t that boost your self-esteem ladies?  I’m not talking about anything huge here.  It could have been something as simple as hanging some pictures or installing some shelves.  It’s nice to know how to do these things, and by building a relationship early with tools, you can achieve great things in your home! 

                Some of you may be mothers.  You know that building your child’s self-esteem early is essential for them to grow with good mental health and self-worth.  We’ll talk about teaching your children about tools in another blog, but let’s discuss how getting started early with tools is a great idea. 

                Being comfortable using a hammer when you’re younger means you’ll be more likely to use it to do tasks in your home later on.  Familiarity and knowledge about the simple tools most often used in the home as early as possibly means your children will take more interest towards using them.  If you’re not a parent and were not taught early to use tools, there’s really nothing to it.  They’re not scary or intimidating.  They bring you empowerment and control over your home, something most of us women may already know plenty about! 

                There are guides to help you sharpen your DIY skills; you can click here to find books written by women to assist fellow DIY Divas in home and car repair.  Ignore the stigma that tools are for men.  If you use a meat tenderizer while you prepare dinner, why on Earth can’t you use a hammer?  You can!  Ladiestoolsonline.com has a wide array of tools meant for you!  Now you can install your new faucet or light fixture with tools that are made for women.  Give it a try and tell me how much your DIY task boosted your self-esteem!

Security Checklist

            In these modern times of uncertainty, we can no longer rely on simple neighborhood watch programs or a family dog to protect our homes from intruders.  Now more than ever, we are applying state-of-the-art technology to ensure our home safety.  Motion-sensor lights and alarms are often part of a normal home.  In lieu of the technology that keeps us safe, we must remember some standard safety measures we need to apply daily to our lives.  Use the list below (consider printing it and posting it in your home) to make sure you’re doing what you can to keep you and your family safe at night.

·         Make sure all entrances to your home are locked.  If your doors have multiple locks, use them all.

·         Close any mechanical garage doors and entrances into your garage and lock them.

·         Close and lock all windows.  If you own a second story home and sleep with the windows open at night, you should be safe to do so, as long as there is no lattice or latter readily available for intruders to scale your home.

·         Draw all curtains or blinds.  If an intruder cannot see what is in your home, they are less likely to be interested in entering.

·         Make sure all your vehicles are secure.

·         If you have motion detectors or security lighting, make sure it is functioning properly.

·         Set any home security system you may have. 

Even the safest of homes can be the target of a break in.  Do all you can to make it difficult for criminals to gain entrance to your home.  If it’s time consuming and tricky to get in, the perpetrator knows that his time is better spent elsewhere. 

Now that you’ve made sure your home is safe from the outsiders, go through your house and make sure there aren’t any safety issues on the inside.

·         Check to make sure your stove is turned off.

·         Unplug anything that doesn’t need to be plugged in.  This could be a coffee maker or toaster.

·         Turn off all unnecessary lights to conserve energy.

·         Pick up any objects left on the floor that could cause a tripping hazard.

·         Make sure nightlights are working.

These simple checklists can help organize your nightly safety routines.  Post your routine where you can easily see it and remember to utilize it.